variants
also dumfounding
as in startling
causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness
the dumbfounding sight of the race car driver walking away from that horrific crash
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
also dumfounding
as in surprising
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected
the surprise ending will dumbfound even the most seasoned mystery reader
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dumbfounding
Adjective
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The Perfect Neighbor is among the most startling documentaries Netflix has released onto its platform in years.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Oct. 2025 -
Your fantasies are startling yet most opportune; your French landscape as much there as the handsome red cover itself.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Going Solo, surprising his daughters and fans Of course, the girls are the Jonas Brothers and Kevin’s biggest fans.—
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal,
Parents,
9 Oct. 2025
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Fallon ended the chat by surprising the trio with the presentation of the platinum plaque for the movie’s soundtrack.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Everything about it pleases me, from the correctness of all the enclitic marks upward, to the astonishing lambency of the whole.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Oct. 2025
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The astonishing young actor known as Master Betty was the prototype of the species.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This interview also comes just weeks after her shocking Dancing With the Stars elimination.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
16 Oct. 2025
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His nearly $50 million buyout is the second richest in college football history, shocking not just for the price but also because of the team’s recent success.—
Kayla Hayempour,
NBC news,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Dan Aykroyd's amazing cameo as the iconic Ray Stantz from Ghostbusters is a treat to watch.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
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This isn’t the first time a homeowner has shared an amazing discovery during a renovation.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Michele Di Gregorio made a stunning double save and was only beaten when a Vinicius Junior shot came back off the post and Jude Bellingham reacted quicker to it than Lloyd Kelly.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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The network’s newest house hunting series, the 12-episode World’s Bargain Dream Homes (wt) from Twenty Twenty Television, will follow people brave enough to purchase the world’s most affordable properties that also happen to be stunning, turnkey and in desirable locations around the globe.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
22 Oct. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Dumbfounding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dumbfounding. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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